#TRIOstyle: New Year’s Traditions Around the Globe

Wednesday, 28 December, 2016

In addition to dinner and affectionate hugs that people around the world use to celebrate the arrival of a new year, each country carries their own unique tradition, hoping that the next 365 days brings best of times. We put together a selection of some of these traditions, in the event that you may want to incorporate something new this year:

DENMARK: Jump into the New Year
In Denmark, New Year’s celebrations begin in the afternoon at 6:00 p.m. However, it’s only after the Monarch’s New Year speech and sharing a holiday dinner that the most important part commences. Minutes before midnight, everyone must stand on top of a chair, stairs, furniture, or anything above floor level, and just as the Copenhagen City Hall clock strikes midnight, everyone must spring from their positions and jump into a new year. The saying goes that by doing this, all the bad spirits are left behind in the previous year.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: New Year’s Eve Kiss
If you’re looking for a 2017 full of love, the USA’s New Year’s Eve tradition may be for you. In the United States, it’s believed that upon the arrival of the new year, a kiss at midnight is an auspicious way to purge all the negative and summon romance. The kiss can be with your partner or even the person next to you. But be advised, as it’s said that if you don’t do it, you can expect a year of loneliness.

UNITED KINGDOM: First-Foot in the Home
In the United Kingdom, the tradition of “first-footing” says that the first person — generally a friend or neighbor– that should step foot in your home after midnight, has to enter by way of the front door, and ideally be a tall and handsome male. The person should bring a coin, bread, salt, coal, and whiskey, which will bring prosperity, food, flavor, warmth, and good luck to the household. Upon departure, the male must exit through the back door.

LATIN AMERICA: A Stroll with the Luggage
Travel is always among the top wishes looking ahead to a new year. In many Latin American countries, people follow the tradition of taking their luggage out of the closet and taking it for a stroll. Just as well, you can place your luggage at the front door or on top of the table, thereby foretelling that 2017 will bring you many travels around the globe.

There’s also another option. In several Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, it’s believed that the color of one’s undergarments can dictate the type of year you’ll have. If you’re looking for a positive year for the heart, you should choose red, which will bring you love and romance in the year ahead.